BVA & BSAVA Welcome Scotland’s Move to Control Dangerous Dogs

(BVA Release) The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) have welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s vote at the first stage of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill which will place a legislative focus on the deed, rather than the breed of dogs and hold dog owners to account.

The Bill received cross-party support when MSPs voted in favour of the proposals yesterday (10 February), which would offer a flexible range of Control Orders providing practical measures to stop dogs getting out of control and place the focus on the owner.

The BVA has long been opposed to any proposals which single out particular breeds of dogs rather than targeting individual aggressive dogs.

Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said:

“We welcome the recognition that controls should not be based on the breed of a dog but on actions and behaviour of individual dogs and their owners. We believe that the manner in which a dog behaves is a result of its inherited characteristics, but more importantly the rearing and training provided by the owner.

“The problems caused by dangerous dogs will never be solved until dog owners appreciate that they are responsible for the actions of their animals. The BVA and BSAVA hope that the principle of ‘deed not breed’ will soon be recognised in the rest of the UK.”